Improvement in corn-planters



' 2Sheets--Sheetl. .I. G. La FDNTE.

Corn-Planters.

I Patented-Nov.25,1873.

WITNESSES. V INVENTOR: I-

By I I fltiorneys.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

J. G. La FONTE.

Born-Planters.

Patent'ed Nov. 25,1873.

INVENTOR.

Ada

Attorneys I By WITNESSES.

UNITED STATEs PATENT FFICE.

JAMES e. LA FONTE, or DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,989, dated Novcmb r 25, 1873; application filed October 23, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, J AMES GUY LAFONTE, of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements 'in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a attached by one end to the hopper-slide; also,

in which brakes or stays are used to keep the front axle in place.

Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the ma chine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken in the line who of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section in line 3 y, Fig. 1.

The machine is constructed of a rectangular or other frame-work, A, upon which is secured a central platform, B, a spring-seat, O, and

hoppers D D D, the two latter on side extensions of platform B. To the front of the frame is secured, by a kingbolt or other means, a two-part axle, E, the parts attached to each other by bolts in such manner that the axle can be extended to nearly twice its length. (See Fig. 2.) Upon a shaft, a, hung in bearings on the rear portion of the frame-work, is keyed a covering-roller or follower, F, having on one face one or more series of inclined knuckles, b, and on the other a number of rowindicators, 0. This follower is in line with the center hopper. In front of this follower a shaft, 07, is hung, equal in length to the side extensions of platform B, and upon said shaft are fixed adjustably two followers, 0 e, in line with the drills of hoppers D 1). This shaft (1 is hung in boxes m, which slide up and down in grooved hangers projecting downward from the frame-work, and their downward motion is limited by brackets n on each side of the frame-work in which the shaft plays. One continuous slide, G, having grainopenings at proper distances and locations, sufiices for the and to a lug on the slide by its other end.

Each hopper is provided with one or more compartments, from which depends a tube, as usual, leading into an adjustable drill-tooth, f. These teeth are attached to arms 9 g, which are pivoted to brackets hi h. Brackets h h are adjustable on. arms 70 7c projecting from the frame-work, and bracket 2' is fastened to the under side of the platform B. Arms 1 l project forward from either side of followers 0 c, and are secured to the shaft (1 by set-screws, and embrace the teeth, so that when the followers meet any obstacle their bearings will yield, and they, rising, will carry the teeth up over it safely. A small shaft, r, is hung in the frame-work, just in front of the hoppers underneath the platform, and on it are keyed one for each hopper, rollers, or drums, s s (See dotted lines, Fig.1, and full lines, Fig. 4.) Chains or cords u u are secured to these drums and to the drill-teeth. Another drum, 2?, is keyed to shaft 1', and from it a chain, 1:, extends over a pulley, w to a foot-lever, I, hung in a slot in platform By depressing the head of the foot-lever, the slide G is moved so as to cut off the grain, the lever bearing against a pin, 00, on said slide, and the several teeth f are elevated, and by releasing said lever the several parts assume their former position by the reaction of the spring 0. front axle E is held rigidly in line with the frame-work by stays or braces K, the rear ends of which are pivoted to the frame-work, and the two connected by a cross-bar. The front ends of these braces are recessed to fit snugly against the upper edge of the axle, and they are removed from this position when it is desired to turn the machine, by a hand-lever, L, connected therewith by a link, 2, the object of these braces being to cause the wheels to go over obstructions and not turn aside as they otherwise would. As previously stated,

The

. next movement.

. fingers (4/ depending therefrom.

\Vhen theseveral parts are in the positions shown in the drawing, the forward movement of the machine will cause the several followers to revolve, and the inclines b will come in contact with lever H and cause it to move the slide, thus dropping the corn. When the lever has passed over the incline, the spring 0 brings the slide and lever back in position for the 1f the distance between the rows crosswise of the machine is to beincreased, the followers 6 are moved out on the shaft 6?, the teeth placed under the tubes Z) 1/, and the grain changed to that compartment. If the distance between the hills lengthwise of the machine is to be increased, the lever H is inverted so that its head will come in contact with the. inner series of inclined knuckles on follower F. The axle E should be extended correspondingly with the followers 6 e, and the indicators M also.

This machine can be converted into a marker by removing the followers 0 e and their shaft, or by throwing the other parts of the machine out of gear with the foot-lever mechanism.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the hoppers D D, spring-slide G, reversible lever H, and follower F provided-with several series of inclines, b, with the adjustable followers 6 and drill-teeth f, for the purpose of planting corn in rows and hills at varying distances apart, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the self-adjusting follower-shaft d with the arms I Z and drill-teeth, as and for the purpose shown and described.

3. The brakes or stays K K, for holding the front axle rigidly in line with the frame-work of the machine, substantially as set forth.

' In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand this 4th day of October, 1878.

JAMES GUY LA FONTE. 

